San Antonio Car Wreck Lawyers

Every day, auto accidents occur across San Antonio, Texas. Each auto accident is different, resulting in differing damages, injuries and losses. While most auto accidents are caused by another driver's negligence or momentary lapse of attention, some accidents are caused by reckless behavior. Common acts of negligence include:

• Failing to yield the right of way.
• Rear-ending a vehicle.
• Running a stop light or stop sign or an unsafe lane change.

Common acts of reckless disregard occur when a driver operates a vehicle at extremely high speeds, drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs or races another car. In Texas, if the other driver is negligent, the injured individual should be entitled to property damage, medical bills and expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and/or lost income. If the negligent driver was also reckless, the victim may be entitled to punitive or special damages in addition to actual damages.

If you are not seriously injured, stay calm and take specific steps to ensure you and others involved are safe. Here are our suggestions as to what to do after a car accident:

Check yourself and any passengers in your car or truck for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately or ask a bystander to do so to have EMS dispatched. Provide the location of the car accident and describe the situation accurately.

If your vehicle obstructs traffic, move your car to the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot. If it still is drivable. Use hazard lights, flares, or warning triangles to alert other drivers to the accident.

If you can, determine the extent of damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. Check for potential hazards, such as leaking fluids, damaged power lines, or fires. If these hazards exist, keep a safe distance and warn others.

Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Get their names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's licenses, and insurance information. Take note of the vehicles' make, model, and license plate numbers. Be polite and cooperative, but avoid admitting fault or assigning blame.

If it's safe, snap pictures and take videos of the accident scene. Capture images of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and the positions of vehicles. Look for witnesses and get their contact information if their statements are needed later.

Depending on the accident's severity, you may need to call the police to the scene. The officer will create an accident report, which will be necessary for your insurance claims later. Cooperate with the responding officers and provide accurate information.

In Texas, you must file a formal accident report with the local police within ten days of the accident if a death, injury or property damage over $1000 occurred.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide them with the accident details, including the other driver's information and the police report, if applicable. Follow their instructions for filing a claim.

Even if you don't initially feel injured, seeking a medical evaluation after an accident is advisable. Injuries may not be immediately apparent; only a medical professional can assess your condition. Keep all medical records related to the accident.

If applicable, work closely with your insurance adjuster to process your claim, including vehicle repairs and medical expenses.

If the accident involved serious injuries, fatalities, disputed liability, or complex legal issues, it is advisable to consult our Law Firm. We specialize in Personal Injury Law. Several of our car accident attorneys are board-certified by the "Texas Board of Legal Specialization."

Now, this is important: Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, vehicle repair receipts, rental car costs, and any other out-of-pocket expenses.

Arrange for vehicle repair through your insurance company's approved repair shop or a trusted mechanic.

Keep yourself in the loop about the progress of your insurance claim and any legal proceedings, if applicable.

Some accident victims may experience emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress after an accident. Don't hesitate to seek counseling or support if you struggle to cope with the emotional aftermath. Remember that every accident is unique, and the steps you must take may vary based on the circumstances. Prioritizing safety, gathering information, and seeking professional guidance when necessary are crucial in handling a car accident effectively and responsibly.

As it is, Texas is an "at-fault" state. The responsible party who caused the accident is liable for any damages-injuries, etc.

Texas law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. The at-fault driver's liability insurance should cover the damages to the other party (you) up to the policy limits. Suppose the other driver is determined to be at fault. In that case, their insurance company is responsible for paying for your damages, including vehicle repairs and medical expenses, within the limits of their policy.

Getting to the bottom of it can vary and may involve the police report, witness statements, photographic Evidence, and other factors.

Insurance companies and, if necessary, the court will evaluate the Evidence to establish who was negligent or at fault for the accident. Fault issues can be complicated. Call our Law Firm for immediate help. Time is of the essence, in Texas, you have two years to look for a fair settlement. We will get ahold of the police report on your accident and interview witnesses to determine who was at fault.

Our Legal Team has represented accident victims throughout Texas for over 30 years. Our Personal Injury Lawyers understand the rules of the road and the special duties imposed on commercial and public carriers. Our Auto accident attorney regularly works with investigators and experts to determine answers to complex scientific and engineering questions that can form the underlying cause of a loss, to get you maximum compensation. Over the years, we have found that determining these answers can sometimes unravel how an accident occurred on the roadways, highways, intersections and who was at fault. Remember that the statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of the personal injury claim. Our San Antonio Personal Injury Attorneys are experienced in handling car crash cases and auto accident claims involving:

• Distracted Driving
• Drunk Driving Losses
• Speeding Drivers
• Reckless Drivers
• Rear End Collisions
• Intersection Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Passenger Injuries
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Semi-Truck and Tractor Trailer Crashes
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Uninsured Motorists

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call Carabin Shaw today. Our San Antonio Law Firm always offers a free initial consultation on all cases, and we are only paid if we win, which means there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your accident claims.

Should you need our help and immediate assistance, call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.

Unfortunately, drunk drivers are killing and injuring Texans every day across the State. In our opinion, drunk drivers should be punished harshly for killing and hurting innocent victims. It is important to understand that the victims and their families can claim actual and punitive damages. In addition to the intoxicated driver being held liable for the personal injuries he or she caused, a bar or nightclub can also be liable for damages if they continued serving an intoxicated guest who drove and caused an accident. The fact that the person who served the already drunk individual alcohol may be held liable does not relieve the intoxicated driver of liability. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know the laws governing legal responsibility. They can help you identify who might be responsible for your injuries, including people or businesses you may not have considered. Every ½ hour, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related accident or crash. Last year alone, over one million people were injured in alcohol-related accidents.

In some cases, accidents are caused by factors unrelated to the conduct of any particular driver. For example, an accident may occur due to a defect. In some auto accident cases, the loss is caused by a product defect. In such cases, an automobile manufacturer or a supplier can be held responsible for injuries caused by a defect in the automobile under the law of product liability. A product liability suit is a lawsuit brought against the seller of a product for selling a defective product that caused physical injury to a consumer or user. Suppose a product manufacturer creates a defective product in designing, manufacturing or labeling. In that case, the manufacturer is liable for any injuries the product causes, regardless of whether the manufacturer was negligent.

Poorly maintained roads and/or malfunctioning traffic control signals can also contribute to causing an accident as well. Sometimes improper designs, maintenance issues, construction issues, signage issues, lighting issues or other highway defect issues, including poorly placed trees and utility poles, can cause serious or even deadly accidents. In such cases, the road construction company or even the State can be held responsible. Special rules apply to claims and lawsuits brought against governmental entities. Call our Law Firm; good legal advice is critical to preserving and winning such claims.

A driver may also be found liable for an accident due to his or her intentional or reckless conduct or for his or her failure to act in accord with a reasonable driver under the same circumstances.A driver who is reckless operates his vehicle with "willful and wanton disregard" for the rights and well-being of others. A driver can be found reckless, for example, if he or she drives in a threatening or harassing manner out of "road rage" and causes an accident. The concept of "Road Rage" is defined as "an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway."Statistics compiled by NHTSA show that almost 13,000 people have been injured or killed since 1990 in crashes caused by aggressive driving. According to the NHTSA, more than 60 percent of drivers consider unsafe driving by others, including speeding, a major personal threat to themselves and their families. Texas Law Enforcement Agencies are renewing efforts to identify and penalize aggressive drivers who speed, tailgate and engage in other dangerous driving practices.

Crashes and Injuries 2022 San Antonio

According to the Texas Department of Transportation:

• There were 186 fatal crashes resulting in 199 fatalities.
• 542 suspected serious crashes resulting in 625 serious injuries.
• 4,942 suspected minor crashes resulting in 6,563 suspected minor injuries.
• 6,099 possible injury crashes
• 9,949 possible injuries
• 25,016 non-injury crashes
• 68,985 non-injuries
• 2,570 unknown severity crashes
• 12,027 unknown injuries
• 39,355 total crashes

In all of the above cases, it is essential that the victim or his or her family take prompt measures to preserve evidence, investigate the loss and have physicians or other expert witnesses evaluate the injuries and losses. If you have been a victim of an automobile accident, do not hesitate to call our Personal Injury Attorneys. Our Team of Lawyers is skilled and experienced in motor vehicle accident cases.If you have been injured in an accident, please contact the Law Firm of Carabin Shaw today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee, meaning there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your case.

For immediate assistance, call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.